Lobectomy

(Thoracotomy, Thoracoscopic Lobectomy, Removal of a Lobe of the Lungs, Lung Surgery)

Procedure overview

What is a lobectomy?

A lobectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove one of the lobes of the lungs. The procedure may be performed when an abnormality has been detected in a specific part of the lung. When only the affected lobe of the lung is removed, the remaining healthy tissue is spared to maintain adequate lung function.

A lobectomy is most often performed during a surgical procedure called a thoracotomy (surgical incision of the chest). Other lung surgery procedures that may be performed by thoracotomy include:

Pneumonectomy. Removal of an entire lung when an abnormality or disease is detected throughout the entire lung

Wedge resection. Removal of a small section of a lobe when an abnormality or disease involves only a small area of lung tissue

Segmental resection. Removal of a segment, or subdivision of a lobe

Exploratory thoracotomy. Opening of the chest wall for direct visualization of the lungs and other chest structures when there is evidence of an abnormality or disease that has not been verified by other diagnostic methods

There are different kinds of thoracotomies depending on the location of surgical entry and how much lung is removed. Generally, during a lobectomy the incision is made at the level of the affected lobe. The incision is typically made on the front of the chest under the nipple line and extends around the back under the shoulder blade. The surgeon enters the chest cavity through the exposed ribs to remove the lobe.

In certain circumstances, a minimally invasive procedure called video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is used to perform a lobectomy. Specialized surgical instruments are inserted into the chest cavity through three or four small incisions. One of the instruments, a thoracoscope, has a tiny camera and transmits the image to a TV-like monitor. The surgeon is able to view the internal organs on the monitor. Through the remaining incisions, other specialized instruments are inserted and used to perform the procedure. The type of procedure performed will be determined by the surgeon, based on the patient's medical condition and other factors.

Other related procedures that may be used to diagnose problems of the lungs and respiratory tract include lung biopsy, pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, and mediastinoscopy. Please see these procedures for additional information.

Anatomy of the respiratory system

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The respiratory system is made up of the organs involved in the exchange of gases--primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide--and consists of the:

Nose

Pharynx

Larynx

Trachea

Bronchi

Lungs

The upper respiratory tract includes the:

Nose

Nasal cavity

Ethmoidal air cells

Frontal sinuses

Maxillary sinus

Larynx

Trachea

The lower respiratory tract includes the lungs, bronchi, and alveoli.

What are the functions of the lungs?

The lungs take in oxygen, which cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. The lungs also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's cells.

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-gray tissue. They take up most of the space in the chest, or the thorax (the part of the body between the base of the neck and diaphragm).

The lungs are enveloped in a membrane called the pleura.

The lungs are separated from each other by the mediastinum, an area that contains the following:

The heart and its large vessels

Trachea (windpipe)

Esophagus

Thymus

Lymph nodes

The right lung has three sections called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. When you breathe, the air enters the body through the nose or the mouth. It then travels down the throat through the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) and goes into the lungs through tubes called mainstem bronchi.

One mainstem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung. In the lungs, the mainstem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi and then into even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli.

Reasons for the procedure

A lobectomy may be performed when a lung abnormality or condition has been identified that requires surgical removal. A lobe may be removed to avoid spread of the disease-causing pathogen to the other lobes, as with tuberculosis or certain cancerous lung tumors.

Conditions of the chest and lungs for which a lobectomy may be performed include, but are not limited to, the following:

Tuberculosis (TB). A chronic bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs, although other organs may be involved. TB is primarily an airborne disease (spread by air droplets from infected people when they cough or sneeze).

Lung abscess. A localized collection of pus that may form in the lung. If the abscess does not resolve with antibiotic therapy, it may “wall off” so that it does not infect the rest of the body.

Emphysema. A chronic illness that results from the chemical breakdown of the elastic fibers in the lungs, interfering with expansion and contraction of the lungs

Benign tumor. A noncancerous mass that can press on major blood vessels and affect the function of other organs.

Lung cancer. A group of cancers that may affect the bronchi, one or more lobes of the lungs, the pleural lining, and/or other lung tissue

Fungal infections. Fungi are a group of organisms that, although rare, may cause infections in various parts of the body. Fungal infections can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a lobectomy.

Risks of the procedure

As with any surgical procedure, complications may occur. Some possible complications include, but are not limited to, the following:

Infection

Tension pneumothorax occurs when air becomes trapped in the pleural space (the air between the lung and the chest wall), causing the lung to collapse.

Hemorrhage (bleeding)

Bronchopleural fistula is a tube-like opening between the bronchus and pleural space causing leakage of air or fluid into the surgical area.

Empyema, an accumulation of pus in the chest cavity

There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.

Before the procedure

Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may perform a physical examination to ensure you are in good health before you undergo the procedure. You may also under go blood tests and other diagnostic tests.

You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify your doctor.

Notify your doctor if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, latex, iodine, tape, and anesthetic agents (local or general).

Notify your doctor of all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.

Notify your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medications prior to the procedure.

If you smoke, you should stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the procedure, in order to improve your chances for a successful recovery from surgery and to improve your overall health status.

You may receive a sedative prior to the procedure to help you relax.

Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation.

During the procedure

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A lobectomy requires a hospital stay of several days. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.

Generally, a lobectomy follows this process:

You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.

An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in your arm or hand.

If there is excessive hair at the surgical site, it may be clipped off.

A urinary catheter may be inserted into your bladder to drain urine during the procedure.

You will be positioned on the operating table in a manner that provides the best access to the side of the chest being operated on, usually lying on the side opposite the surgical site.

After you are sedated, the anesthesiologist will insert a tube into your lungs so that your breathing can be controlled by a ventilator. The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

An incision will be made along the front aspect of the chest at the level of the lobe being removed. The incision will extend under your arm to your back.

When the ribs are visualized, a special instrument will be used to spread the ribs apart, leaving the lung area exposed.

The blood vessels and air tubes that supply the lobe being removed will be tied off with nonabsorbable sutures.

The lobe will be removed. In order to facilitate the removal of the lung tissue, a rib or a portion of a rib may be removed.

One or more chest tubes may be inserted into the chest cavity to aid in the removal of air or fluid postoperatively.

The skin incision will be closed with sutures or surgical staples.

A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied.

An epidural catheter to infuse pain medication into your back may be inserted before you leave the operating room or in the recovery room.

After the procedure

In the hospital

After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Your recovery process will vary depending on the type of procedure performed and the type of anesthesia that is given. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room.

You may receive pain medication as needed, either by a nurse, through an epidural catheter, or by administering it yourself through a device connected to your intravenous line.

You may have one or more chest tubes inserted near the surgical incision to drain air and/or fluid from the chest. The chest tubes may be painful when you move, cough, or breathe deeply. The chest tubes will be removed before you are discharged from the hospital.

You may need to receive oxygen for a period of time after surgery. Generally, the oxygen will be discontinued before you go home. However, some patients may need to go home with oxygen, depending on their medical condition.

You will be taught deep-breathing exercises and coughing techniques to help facilitate lung re-expansion and prevent postoperative pneumonia.

You will be encouraged to move around as tolerated while you are in bed and to get out of bed and walk around as your strength improves.

Depending on your situation, you may be given liquids to drink a few hours after surgery. Your diet may be gradually advanced to more solid foods as tolerated.

Before you are discharged from the hospital, arrangements will be made for a follow-up visit with your doctor. The length of time may vary depending on the reason for your lobectomy.

At home

Once you are home, it is important to keep the incision clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific bathing instructions. The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit.

The incision, and chest and shoulder muscles, may ache, especially with deep breathing, coughing, and exertion. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.

You should continue the breathing exercises used in the hospital.

You will be advised to avoid exposure to upper respiratory infections (colds and flu) and irritants, such as tobacco smoke, fumes, and environmental pollution.

You should gradually increase your physical activity as tolerated. It may take several weeks to return to your previous levels of stamina.

You may be instructed to avoid lifting heavy items for several months in order to prevent strain on your chest muscles and surgical incision.

Notify your doctor to report any of the following:

Fever and/or chills

Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site

Following a lobectomy, your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions, depending on your particular situation.

Online resources

The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

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